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Facebook Working To Weed Out Fake Likes

jfruh writes In the early days of brands on Facebook, it was crucial for companies to garner as many "likes" as possible to boost their image, and that led to some unethical businesses selling likes that came from fake accounts. Now Facebook is informing brands that they're working to root out fake likes, leaving like counts lower but realer. Now if only I could get my relatives to stop clicking on pictures that say they like puppies and are against cancer.

74 comments

  1. Weed out the fake Google Maps? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can facebook help us weed out the new and fake Google Maps?

  2. fuck off facebook by shione · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They are not going to get very far weeding out fake likes when their system is set up to bribe people for likes.

    What facebook needs to do is add a dislike button like youtube has.

    If I want to comment on my local government's facebook page to complain about something why the fuck do I have to LIKE them first.

    Secondly facebook should crack down on companies asking for likes to enter competitions or get discount coupons at their shop.

    1. Re:fuck off facebook by ayesnymous · · Score: 1

      What facebook needs to do is add a dislike button like youtube has.

      Youtube changed their comment system so that if you click dislike, nothing happens. It doesn't decrement the number of thumbs up anymore.

      If I want to comment on my local government's facebook page to complain about something why the fuck do I have to LIKE them first.

      I've commented on FB pages without liking them. Not sure if they changed that recently.

  3. Re:Frist Psot! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Do you remember when there was AIM 5.9..... Then there was AIM Triton? That sort of thing.

  4. Realer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Perhaps you should first find realer words than "realer". Like "more reliable"? Or "more realistic"?

    1. Re:Realer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yes and no? maybe.

    2. Re:Realer? by mwvdlee · · Score: 5, Funny

      I agree, there is nothing annoyinger than imaginary words.

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    3. Re:Realer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Like!

    4. Re:Realer? by crashumbc · · Score: 1

      But imaginary numbers are ok?

    5. Re:Realer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Of course, you dolt. What would diffeq be without them?
      Unless you're a humanities major. Then you can paint imaginary numbers on the unicorn sculptures.

    6. Re:Realer? by StikyPad · · Score: 1

      If you think that's an imaginary word, you should see

    7. Re:Realer? by oodaloop · · Score: 1

      Realer is a perfectly cromulent word.

      --
      Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
    8. Re:Realer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Realer is a perfectly cromulent word.

    9. Re:Realer? by danomac · · Score: 1

      Of course! See the government's "balanced" budget that keeps putting us in debt!

  5. Systemd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Systemd is that dark cloud in the air.
    Facebook, don't dispair.
    Google? The new borg.
    Zuckerberg, abort.
    Slashdot, old Soul.
    Systemd is forever.

    1. Re: Systemd by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If Systemd had a facebook page, I would not click the like button.

  6. Let's test it! by penguinoid · · Score: 1

    If you like this new initiative, click "like" on the post announcing it. Also do so if you don't like the new initiative.

    --
    Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    1. Re:Let's test it! by Z00L00K · · Score: 1

      Facebook is just a pool for the exhibitionists.

      --
      If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
  7. Please fix, or maybe not cuz it's sorta fun by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    I have had 4 or 5 fake sign ups with my different emails over the years. I can take over some, others I can't. But I get a message for notifying of account creation but it's like an unconfirmed sign up because I get no emails about any initial creation. But the account exists. When I take control I just start adding tons of random people I don't know, liking and random comments using google translator in their language, it's all in other countries so I have no idea what's going on. Then I get tons of friends requests to for these accounts, tens and tens sometimes in bursts. Too lazy to report it to FB and the fake accounts were fun because I did no work to create them. Tens and tens of emails a day from Facebook with these. I don't think I'm special to get these so I guess the problem is pretty rampant.
    I guess I have a question is there an exploit they use to create an account using an email they don't control without having to confirm it whatsoever?

  8. Dishonest motherfuckers! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I love cancer and hate puppies. Best possible scenario is when puppies get cancer. Serves them right.

    1. Re:Dishonest motherfuckers! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And then the cancer contracted puppies.

  9. It's slightly more complicated by Required+Snark · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Facebook want to eliminate fake "likes" that don't generate revenue.

    They're fine with fake anything that helps their bottom line.

    --
    Why is Snark Required?
  10. And fake accounts by NixieBunny · · Score: 2

    I am admin for a good-sized group (>1000 fans). We see about a 50-50 mix of real humans and fake accounts requesting to join the group. Curiously, the fake ones have similar structure: Photo of a lovely young Asian lady, and a weird name, and male sex.

    --
    The determined Real Programmer can write Fortran programs in any language.
    1. Re:And fake accounts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Curiously, the fake ones have similar structure: Photo of a lovely young Asian lady, and a weird name, and male sex.

      Sound to me like you are in the wrong crowd. Next time, pick a hobby where the majority isn't creeps on the stalker side of the family.

  11. Gosh darn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I really felt like saying something useful today, but meh.

  12. Yeah right by QuantumPion · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Fake likes is Facebook's entire business model. Getting rid of fake likes would be like McDonalds saying they are going to get rid of unhealthy food.

    Excellent youtube video describing the problem with Facebook's commercialized likes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVfHeWTKjag

    1. Re:Yeah right by SuricouRaven · · Score: 4, Insightful

      They just want to get rid of fake fake likes, because they devalue their real fake likes.

    2. Re:Yeah right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly FB relies on their own real fake likes to increase value of their fake real likes. ;-)

    3. Re:Yeah right by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1

      Fake likes are ones where the recipient didn't pay Facebook for them.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  13. Do something good for a change! by dohzer · · Score: 0

    Give me a 'dislike' button already!

    1. Re:Do something good for a change! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do something good like Google has done with the new version of Google Maps?

      Yeah, right...

  14. anyone who clicks the "like" button is a tool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that is all.

  15. Your Morning Herald, RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In the legend "The Facebook Death Machine" and "Battlestar Zuckerberg", Zuckerbergians are a reptilian race and they wear body armor. As they progress through the ranks, some of them would be augmented with fake likes. If they had the right body type, they would be awarded a third fake like, and rise to the rank of Imperious Social Leader.

  16. Nothing has changed by DerekLyons · · Score: 1

    From TFS: "In the early days of brands on Facebook, it was crucial for companies to garner as many "likes" as possible to boost their image".

    It's still like that, except with individual posts rather than pages. If a post doesn't get enough 'likes', 90% of the people following that page will never see it unless they've gone to the trouble of turning notifications on or the page owner has ponied up the bucks to 'boost' the page.

  17. Re: fuck facebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I had a legitimate business page with real likes, and after about a year they shut my page down without explanation.

  18. Re: fuck facebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And.....?

  19. Re:ISIS arrested in Minnesota and California today by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Putin's fault - bomb Putin instead.
    Place where ISIS comes from is already in ruins (thanx, among other things, to attempts by some to bring 'democracy') better bomb Russia - gets better footage too as the foreign journalists do not get beheaded there (yet - who knows what Putin is up to).

  20. Fake by jargonburn · · Score: 1

    I'd settle for them blocking fake friends! :S

  21. Re: fuck facebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And fuck facebook.

  22. Lots of fake likes by future+assassin · · Score: 1

    I've been running an ad for my business page and have gotten 100 likes in the last three days from my ad. Problem is people like me ad not by business so in reality I'm just buying like for the sake of likes.

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
    1. Re:Lots of fake likes by future+assassin · · Score: 1

      meh bad spelling too much beer.

      --
      by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
    2. Re:Lots of fake likes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Looks like they help you...help Facebook

  23. Who gives a shit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is there anything as worthless as a facebook "like"?

    Just quit fucking using facebook. If you can't keep in touch with friends and family in person or by phone, mail, or maybe even email then it probably isn't that vital of a connection to maintain.

    1. Re:Who gives a shit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you build it, they will cum.

  24. Re:[censored] off facebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How do I Like this comment here on Slashdot?

  25. How About Amazon Weeds Out Fake Reviews? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is a problem I've noticed in the books section mainly. New author comes in, his agent and publishing house have about 20 fake accounts (never bought a thing they reviewed) but they reviewed the book of this person. They also post positive reviews, thumb up all positive from verified customers and thumb down all negative reviews from verified customers. AMAZON IS A FUCKING JOKE!

  26. Re:[censored] off facebook by darkain · · Score: 1

    It's called moderators points... which I just lost my chance to use by leaving a comment. :P One or the other, maybe Facebook should use that system, too!?

  27. Re:mo3 0p by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That domain has been parked for years you big silly goose.

  28. * more real by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Or better, "more authentic".

  29. People who use Facebook don't deserve the Internet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Since the late 90s, you've had the most fantastic data transport network available to you, and you use it only to reach walled gardens like Facebook and Twitter. Who gives a shit what Facebook does or doesn't do to their feel-good ranking system. You don't deserve the internet and haven't even begun to see how shit it's going to be when all your communication will go through one commercial entity that ultimately only cares about getting paid.

  30. Re: fuck facebook by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He was selling weed.

  31. Wish it was smarter about hiding content types by swb · · Score: 2

    I wish it was somehow smarter about hiding categories of content.

    My neighbor frequently shares pages/people's posts about New Agey kinds of food topics -- "10 reasons why boiled kale improves your aura". I use the "Hide all from Melanie Stargazer" option to block it, but there doesn't seem to be a way to train Facebook to block other similar pages/content types.

    My guess is many of these shares are from people trying to make a career out of being digital holistic gurus of some kind and pay Facebook to promote their posts. But I wish I could train it to identify this category of post and just never see it again.

    I also feel like I've blocked countless radio station shares, which must also be paying to promote their content. But I don't want to see clickbait from "101.3 The Wave" or any other station I've never heard of.

    Still another is the mass tag shared post, often from an organization/entity -- "Foo Bar with Manny Smith and 47 others". I'm pretty sure the mass tagging is done to develop maximum exposure, but it seems to abuse the putative social intent of tagging a post as identifying people actually with the poster.

    Yet another annoyance is the phenomenon of people posting replies that contain ONLY people's names as tags. Occasionally I want to see the comments to a post, but often the majority are just name tagging. There should be a way to hide those so that only the people tagged and/or their friends (depending on security settings) see them.

    1. Re:Wish it was smarter about hiding content types by Pascoea · · Score: 1
      I really wish Facebook had a regex filter. Would be a double win, I'd finally have an excuse to learn how to use regex, and eventually I'd stop seeing "Jimmy sticks his dick in a toaster, you'll never believe what happens next" type shit in my feed.

      Add in the regex filter, a "dislike" button, and a paid level of service that gets rid of game requests and leaves my god damn feed on "most recent" and I'll be a happy camper.

    2. Re:Wish it was smarter about hiding content types by swb · · Score: 1

      I imagine Facebook will eventually eliminate "Most Recent" as an option -- they really want to structure the feed like a TV channel, with content you want from your friends interspersed with a bunch of paid promotion junk content you can't avoid.

      They don't even seem to respect "I don't want to see this..." now -- I have blocked "Timehop" (really, your post was dumb the first time around, it's no better 3 years later) a dozen times and it keeps showing up.

  32. trust one unethical corporation to police another by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    good luck with that

  33. Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Obviously Facebook is going to undo Hillary's huge cache of fake/bought likes because the Koch Bros. paid Suckerberg millions to do it. I heard it on Coast-to-Coast AM, so it must be true.

  34. Oh! by Greyfox · · Score: 1

    I was just watching a video about this the other day. Dude explains that fake like fraudsters also tend to like facebook-promoted content to try to throw the fraud-detection algorithms off. Ultimately either method of promotion makes it harder for him to connect with people who are actually interested in his channel.

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  35. Born Under a Bad Sign by StikyPad · · Score: 2

    Damnit, Facebook. If it wasn't for fake likes, I wouldn't have no likes at all.

  36. I like what FB is doing here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Facebook is a great company. Mark Zuckerburg is an inspiring leader.

    So is Sheryl Sandberg, who wrote a great book.

    And here's ; might as well pick up that one too!

    - 15-year FB customer

  37. Short-term solution that won't work. by Last_Available_Usern · · Score: 1

    This will only really work for the accounts that have no activity other than liking one thing (or one person's set of things). As soon as the fake accounts are managed to like a bunch of other random things in addition to the page in question Facebook will be right back where it started.

  38. Fake likes are a business by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    My company (a small one), had recently announced proudly and seriously in a corporate email that we reached a fantastic 5000 likes. I was puzzled, because I have access to the production database and do know we are not even close to 5000 retail customers.
    Then, I discussed with the staff in charge of the community management of the said Facebook page, she told me they had just paid for that.

    Let's all rejoice for our miserable 5000 fake likes, people!

  39. There are two way to get fake likes by GuB-42 · · Score: 1

    How to get fake likes :
    - Pay a bunch of people in China or India to click on the "like" button.
    - Pay Facebook to encourage a bunch of people in China or India to click on the "like" button.

    Facebook wants to penalize people who use the first option. Fake likes are OK as long as Facebook get their share.